As Anna Hazare's health was declared worrying by doctors my immediate concern were with the people who were fasting at LB road Adyar, Chennai for the past 8 days. I immediately went there, it was well past 9 pm but each of the volunteers were going through their job and people were still trickling in to have a glimpse of this movement that has caught the imagination of the world. Couple of girls who would have never picked brooms in their lifetime to clean even their houses were sweeping the entire premises and preparing the venue for the battle next day. These girls holding brooms are not those who make life out of this as a profession but some of the top notch MBA's and Engineers who have taken it upon themselves to sweep the epidemic of corruption.
I went in there and stood around observing. Seeing me standing alone couple of volunteers sitting next to me invited me to join them and one of them even went and got a chair for me. They were energetic bunch of guys and we were happily bantering about various things. It was only after half an hour or so I realized that few of these people were not just volunteers but men who had been fasting for the past 8 days along with Anna Hazare. Such was their energy level that it was tough to believe they have been living on just water for about 175 hours. My jaws just dropped...
I could not resist myself anymore, I asked them how is it that they are so energetic even after having been on fast for so loong... That is when they said something beautiful "We derive energy from you people, we derive energy whenever we see so many people coming here supporting this fight against corruption, we derive energy from the volunteers here who have been taking care of us very well, we derive energy with each and every chant of Vandhe Mataram..."
These people who came in as individuals totally unknown but today have become a family, they look after each other and take care of one another and derive strength from everyone around them. Such is the bonding that they have become one large family and also attract you to become a part of it. They were full of praise to the volunteers who ensure that every 30 minutes they are given water to drink and every two hours a medical checkup is done on them. A Sidha doctor hearing these people fasting came and checked the pulse of each and every one using the traditional nadi method, a reiki healer who came in and energized them with reiki, a yoga teacher who teaches them yoga and breathing techniques. They also said they were moved to see people older than their age come and massage their feet and head to relax and comfort them. People just come in and voluntarily pour in whatever bit and pieces of help they can do to help them.
It is not bed of roses out their for them, they have seen fellow fasters removed from the fasting arena due to dehydration, uneven blood pressure and sugar levels and some on suspiscion that their liver might be in danger if they continue fasting, but none of them showed any fear or concern about the danger that loomed large over them. The impasse and the lethargic response of the government has not made them weak but strong, their resolve grows stronger and stronger with every passing minute, these are warriors who are fighting for a cause they believe in and they dont seem to be the ones who are going to give up anytime soon.
They derive strength and courage from each one of us here who support them, make mockery of them or sit indifferently, because they have taken it upon themselves to fight for us too. People may have different opinion about the Lokpal bill but there can not be no two opinions about the honest intentions and spirit these men and women have displayed to wake up and shake up our conscience into a fight against corruption. I was proud to have spent couple of hours of my lifetime with this brave men and women who for the last 175 hours live on air, water and Vandhe Mataram.
Jai Hind.
P.S: In case you believe in their cause it will be wonderful if you can just send a sms congratulating them and encouraging them with your support... Name and number given in the image below...
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